Northampton Parkrun director launches podcast to tell the incredible stories of everyday runners

Michelle Lewis has been interviewing some of the world's most accomplished and inspirational runners for her podcast.

A Northampton woman has started a podcast to tell the incredible stories of everyday runners who achieve extraordinary things.

Michelle Lewis, who is a run director at Northampton parkrun, has launched the Running Tales podcast to champion the physical and mental health benefits of running in all its forms.

Michelle's podcast - which is now on its 13th episode - has so far spoken to runners, a wheelchair athlete and a race walker who has his sights set on the Olympic Games.

Many of her guests are runners at Northamptonshire running groups, including Northampton Road Runners' Mark Kennedy, who reveals how running as helped him cope with the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, and Michael Williams, an ultra-marathon runner whose 2020 aim of running 860 miles from John O’Groats to Lands’ End was only thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Michelle, from Hardingstone, said: “I’ve spoken to runners who have achieved some amazing things, but one common theme is that, by and large, these people weren’t your top athletes at school.

“Many of them started running later in life, or in order to cope with some kind of trauma or mental health challenge."

They also include stories from around the world, such as a talk with South African Deon Ehlers who has completed the gruelling Comrades ultra-marathon numerous times, and American Eric Xiocca, who ran a marathon every month during his 40th year.

Other incredible stories include a man who has run 100 marathons, and a woman who started her own business putting on virtual races.

Michelle said: “These are all normal people who have done incredible things. That’s why I think their stories are so special.

“I hope the podcast will encourage people to give running a go, but if not there is an incredible community around running in this county and whether it’s volunteering at your local parkrun or cheering others on there are huge benefits to be gained from running.”

People can listen to the Running Tales podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Anchor and a host of other providers.